Both Sam Burgess and Brad Arthur have made some early selection calls ahead of Sunday’s Super League clash after Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves’ reserve grade game last night.
The game, played at Stanningley ARLFC, was a repeat of the 2025 reserves Grand Final, which Leeds won 8-0. However they wouldn’t be able to secure the win last night, as they were beaten by the Primrose and Blue outfit.
Warrington, whose reserve side are led by Ryan O’Brien, took a 30-18 victory over Chev Walker’s Rhinos to continue their unbeaten start to the season and extend their run to four matches.
Last year’s Grand Final winners, Leeds, have had a difficult start to the campaign, only managing to pick up one win, as well as drawing once and losing twice.
However, the headline to come from that game was the number of Super League talent on show, and it gave a major club as to which players will be taking to the field on Super League’s 30th birthday.
Leeds lined up with Jeremiah Matautia in the front row and Ethan O’Neill in the back row, whilst Presley Cassell featured off the bench.
All three of those players were named in Arthur’s 21-man squad for this weekend’s game, but with them featuring on Friday night it means they won’t be lining up in the first grade side tomorrow.
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The same can be said for Warrington, who had a former England international in their reserve side this week.
Marc Sneyd partnered Leon Hayes in the halves, a partnership that could well be seen in Super League at some point this season.
Sneyd looks to have been dropped from the side with 18-year-old wonderkid Ewan Irwin taking his place for the past two matches, and that is set to continue this week.
Also named in Warrington’s 21 were forwards Luke Thomas and Max Wood, but with those two also playing on Friday, they won’t be in the Super League 17 this week.
Whilst he wasn’t named in the 21, Wire’s James Bentley was another familiar face to take to the field as he continues his return from injury.
